When I was 6 or 7 years old, I remember going with my dad to get a nintendo console. Most of my memories about my dad involve making a sojourn to Toys 'R' Us to pick up the latest video game.

On a side note, I blame Toys 'R' Us for stalling my childhood education. For the longest time, I would write my "R" backwards because I had been taught by our neighborhood toy store that this was the correct way. I was convinced that any attempt to correct me was some sort of twisted conspiracy by parents and teachers alike to mess me up.

Thanks a lot.

Even though I grew up playing nintendo, the old school big-as-a-gray-brick gameboy, as well as many happy hours spent at friend's houses on their snes, segas, and later n64s and playstations...I have to say that I really suck at games. At least, games that require some sort of muscle coordination. I could never beat Super Mario Bros. without the cheat whistle that you pick up while flying to the top of the screen in the first Bowser castle. And even though I painstakingly learned the combos in Street Fighter (crescent moon + punch), my performance was always pathetic when it came to the test in arcades.

The only game that I was really good at (and is probably why I love it so much) was Megaman. I was the Megaman master. Even if it's been years, when I pick up the console, my finger muscles remember exactly where to jump/slide/shoot in each level because I played it that much. This is also why it feels so bizarre when I try playing the Megaman reboots on playstation, because my hands can't handle the concept that I'm not holding an nes directional pad + a/b/start/select control.

On another side note, I can remember the exact moment I beat my first Megaman boss. It was Tomahawk Man from Megaman 6. When it happened, I crawled over to the couch where my dad had passed out and said in an elated whisper, "I did it!" He didn't wake up, but that's okay. That was a turning point in my life (and also the moment that my dad had to start sharing the nintendo with me more and more. Sucker).

The rest, as they say, is history.

I'm generally much better at loner games...meaning rpg's. And rpg's (at least back then) don't require too much muscle dexterity. Just a lot of patience. Which is probably why I was so good at them. Can't beat the boss? No problem, just go level up in a forest somewhere for a couple hours. What? There's an ultimate weapon that you have to go on some ridiculous nonsequitur side quest for? Okay!!!

But because I spent so much time playing rpg's, I think some of the philosophy has inevitably crossed over into my real life. And I don't mean I suddenly go ransacking stranger's houses to steal money/find potions.

what is this gandalf-looking guy doing waiting in a cave for? okay, if you say so.

In my life, everything has always been a matter of accruing enough experience points. When I start a job or a musical piece, or even for things like learning how to ride the bike (which yes, I have not apparently gained enough exp for), I think of things as in gaining levels. I just have to keep at it to earn more points, get better, go up levels, and master it.

As I mentioned in a previous post, sometimes I even hear a level up noise in my head when it happens.

And this may be silly, but I've only just now realized how nerdy this all sounds. Oh well. As a short updation, I've been juggling three jobs for the past couple months. It's been busy, but very fulfilling. I just had my birthday a couple weeks ago, and it's been a very happy and wonderful year thus far.

Because I mentioned megaman, you should check out this page on my website (if you haven't already) where I posted a megaman tribute song I created using ChucK.